Russell Westbrookhas been far from his usual self thisNBA season. It was clear that he had to make an adjustment if he wanted to thrive next to James Harden and now that he’s been hurt to start the playoffs, he’s having quite a tough time to get his legs back under him.
The Houston Rockets upset the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals and jumped to an early lead in the series. However, their joy would not last for long as LeBron James and company hit the ground running in Game 2 to even the series with a 117-109 win.
LA was up for as much as 22 points at some point in the first half. Houston rallied back and eventook the lead back late in the game, but somehow it seemed like Westbrook constantly found the way to give them the lead right back.
Once again air-balling shots, racking up late-game turnovers, and struggling to get anything going on both ends of the floor, Westbrook finished the game with10 points (on 15 shots, 1/7 from three, 1/3 from the line), 7 turnovers, and a +/- of -14.
Westbrook even acknowledged at the end of the game that he needs to hit the film room and find out how to be more efficient becausehe’s ‘just running around right now’. Needless to say, the internet was again merciless to one of the most controversial players of the NBA.
NBA Twitter DestroysRussell Westbrook After Massive Dud Vs. The Lakers
*Russell Westbrook shoots a 3*
James Harden:
LeBron:
PJ Tucker:
AD:
Scott Foster:
Lakers Bench:
Mike D’antoni:
Rockets Fans:
The Rim: pic.twitter.com/ExaxBQ29Ga— ᴬˡᵉˣ (@LonzoPlsScore) September 7, 2020
Mike D’Antoni, explaining how Russell Westbrook plays pic.twitter.com/dKOu8Dztvh
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 7, 2020
James Harden looking at Westbrook pic.twitter.com/2r8IONeFI3
— Stephen A. Smith Burner (@SASBurnerAcct) September 7, 2020
RUSSELL WESTBROOK WOKE UP FEELING DANGEROUS ������
4-15 shooting ������
1-7 from 3 ������
7 turnovers ������
+/- -17 ������ pic.twitter.com/rySdHm3IqE
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) September 7, 2020
Lakers guarding Westbrook pic.twitter.com/mKzvnRsCit
— Adam (@AdamBeaverr) September 7, 2020
Russell Westbrook shot 7 threes tonight. He hasn’t even shot 6 threes since January 9th.
If he’s gonna ditch the game plan that Houston designed *specifically* for him and revert back to his old shot selection then it’s bad news for the Rockets.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) September 7, 2020
Lakers guarding Westbrook like Ben Simmons in crunch time �� pic.twitter.com/5Ao0Prvs48
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 7, 2020
Everyone talked about how the Lakers’ guard play would be a weakness in this series but just look at how big of a contribution they got from Westbrook tonight
— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) September 7, 2020
The rim when Westbrook shoots pic.twitter.com/ktnoSYDl8N
— Samad ������ (@Sam18fifamobile) September 7, 2020
Westbrook takes a 3
Lakers Defense: pic.twitter.com/XFFdzXVKcq— Jake (@JakeDownard) September 7, 2020
“And you see why I left Westbrook..” pic.twitter.com/VHl0nWZMYh
— BurnerAccount (@BurnerA29065062) September 7, 2020
Every lakers fan watching Westbrook shoot tonight pic.twitter.com/AQv2XULY4V
— ��️ (@JrFlxcko) September 7, 2020
Lebron on every Westbrook layup attempt…. pic.twitter.com/hFFIWyxLUV
— Joe Frenchwood (@joefrenchwood) September 7, 2020
It’s still too early to hit the panic button. The series is tied at one win apiece and a player as talented as Russell Westbrook should have no trouble bouncing back. Then again, he must do a better job at reading the game and being humble enough to know when his shot isn’t falling. If the Rockets advance, both the Clippers or Nuggets would represent a massive challenge with their strong backcourt defense.
